Parliamentary event examines future of PRS

The Secretary of State for Housing has attended the launch of a collection of essays which examine the future of the Private Rental Sector an event held in Parliament.

Provided by organisations such as Shelter, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Institute for Public Policy Research and Crisis representing tenants, landlords, enforcing bodies and think tanks, the essays ahead to where they believe the sector should be heading in the next 20 years.

Co-ordinated by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), the essays have been launched at an event in the House of Commons to mark the RLA’s 20th anniversary.

Speaking at the event was the Housing Secretary, James Brokenshire MP and the Shadow Housing Secretary, John Healey MP.

All the essays recognise the importance of a thriving private rental market that works for both tenants and landlords, with calls made for reforms to improve the ability to secure swift and effective justice in the minority of cases where things go wrong between the landlord and tenant.

Alan Ward, Chair of the RLA said: “The RLA’s 20th anniversary provides an opportunity to take stock of where the private rented sector now is, and where we all want it to go.

All the contributors recognise the importance of the sector in providing homes to many millions of people. As we go forward we need to ensure the sector works for tenants and good landlords alike, whilst rooting out the criminals who have no place in a modern rental market.”

The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: “I want to congratulate the Residential Landlord’s Association on 20 years of hard work helping make the private rented sector better for everyone.

This is a vision shared by government and is why we have taken action to raise standards in the sector and protect tenants from substandard accommodation and unfair charges.

There is much more still to be done to ensure everyone has a decent and safe home and I look forward to continuing our work alongside the RLA in the months and years to come.”

Labour MP, Karen Buck, a Vice Chair of the All Party Group for the Private Rented Sector commented: “My work on housing has brought me into increasing contact with the Residential Landlords Association. I have found them to be constructive, engaged, highly professional and a source of excellent information.”